Based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, the Minnesota Wild were founded in June 1997, but didn’t start officially playing until 2000. The Wild were the first NHL franchise in Minnesota since the Minnesota North Stars moved to Dallas in 1993 and became the Dallas North Stars. Minnesota is almost synonymous with hockey, so hockey fans in the state were thrilled to once again have an NHL home team to cheer on.

The Minnesota Wild was not very successful on the ice in their first season, but they showed potential. The most notable game of the year was when the Dallas Stars came to their former home to play the Minnesota Wild. More than 18,000 Minnesota Wild Ticket Holders attended the game between the rivals. The Minnesota Wild would ride the enthusiasm of the crowd to a 6–0 victory.

After finishing their first season in last place, the Minnesota Wild made a surprising run to the Western Conference Finals in the 2002–2003 season but were halted by the Anaheim Ducks. The Wild would make the play-offs for the second time in 2007, but it would prove to be déjà vu all over again for the franchise. Minnesota Wild Ticket Holders watched as the Anaheim Ducks put a stop to the team’s Stanley Cup aspirations once again.

The Minnesota Wild clinched their first ever Northwest Division title in a 3–1 victory over the Calgary Flames on April 3, 2008. They are still chasing a Stanley Cup win, but they are a determined bunch with strong talent and thousands of fans in their corner. Check out Golden Tickets if you want to be among the thousands cheering on the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center.